STAFF &AMP; STUDENTS

Damian Gonzalez

"The Lourdes nursing program focuses heavily on the holistic care of patients," offers Damian. "As a graduate, I know that nursing care goes beyond the obvious medical requirements of the patient and addresses other important needs that improve the patient's ability to cope, heal, recover, and maintain health."

For surgical intensive care patients, Damian is caring for those who have experienced traumatic injuries, sometimes requiring extensive surgeries. When it comes to the medical cardiac intensive care patients, he is caring for those who have respiratory distress, severe infections, organ dysfunction, cardiopulmonary arrest, post heart attacks, cardiac dysrhythmias, as well as those who require invasive therapies such as an intra-aortic balloon pump. "By far, the greatest benefit of my work is knowing that during my shift, I am making a difference in my patients" health and assisting their families with their emotional distress and knowledge of what is occurring and why."

His parents played the greatest role in helping him achieve his dream. "They sacrificed so much to ensure I received a quality education and satisfying career." Damian immigrated to the United States with his mom and stepdad a week before he turned 11. His father had already moved from Cuba and had settled in Columbus, paving the way for the others to follow suit and leave a country where "communism has depressed the economy."

A few years ago, Damian realized two dreams – he became a U.S. citizen and received his nursing degree. For those pursuing a nursing degree, Damian says the rigorous coursework and schedule are daunting. In the end though, he says it is all worth it. "In high school, I remember how fascinated I was to learn what was possible through the health sciences. Today, my nursing degree allows me to care for people at their bedside and utilize the health profession to truly improve their physical and emotional health."